WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — “Mi haffi keep the faith fi di rest a mi children”. Those were the words of Juliet Reynolds whose son was gunned down in Geneva, Grange Hill on Monday morning.

Her son, 25-year-old Nathan Backridda, is said to have left his Belle Isle Road address to visit his brother when the incident happened.

Backriddan was gunned down while riding his bike in the community. He is the fifth victim in less than 72 hours to be killed in that manner.

It is for that reason Reynolds is doubtful that the installation of a Zone of Special Operation (ZOSO) will yield any success.

“Right yah now, if a man want yuh, soldier or no soldier, that’s where we reach in life,” the distraught mother of seven told Observer Online hours after her son’s murder.

Reynolds described her son as a jovial person who did not have many friends.

She said she is still struggling to cope with his tragic loss and had to seek medical attention.

Meanwhile, when Observer Online visited the violence-plagued community on Monday evening, there was a high police presence.

Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Western, Morland Wilson, said he has been in dialogue with the police in relation to the spate of killings.

“Grange Hill is not new to these incidents. I have been in constant communication with the Police High Command in the parish,” Wilson revealed.

He said the police have acknowledged that they will need more resources on the ground and have pledged to deploy further assets in the community.

–          Kimberley Peddie